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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020
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Cass City maple syrup business USDA certified organic MARY DRIER For the Tribune UPPER THUMB — The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association recently notified MapleWorxz of Cass City that is has been certified as an Organic Maple Syrup producer. “The lengthy certification process started in August of last year with a 44 page application and culminated with an intensive inspection of our maple operation by a certified organic inspector last March,” explained Thom Bardwell who is the patriarch of the family operated business. It has been an educational journey, which underscored that the company is operating and producing maple syrup at a level that few are able to achieve — a level that meets all the best practices in processing maple sap into organic maple syrup. “From tree to table, our maple syrup process assures our customers the best in organic quality and packaging,” Bardwell said. Although maple syrup from the sap of maple trees is a natural product, there is more to that to become certified organic. Organic products are grown naturally without the use of any products, such as pesticides, chemicals or other non-natural ingredients that have not been approved as organic. “In other words, our maple syrup is produced using the highest standards to assure that there
batches or lots for process traceability should there be a problem with the bottles or syrup after the sale, and the operation is reviewed by an independent organic certified inspector. In January, MapleWorxz was also awarded the top honor of “Best of Show” by the Michigan Maple Syrup Association. Bardwell makes syrup the same way as when the business was started in 1949 by his grandfather, Frank Bardwell and his father Fred Bardwell. This year his son, Aaron Bardwell, who is a Naturopathic Doctor, is the fourth generation to help carry on the business. The Bardwells boil sap straight from the tree without removing any water with reverse osmosis, although doing that would cut down on the time to make syrup. He feels that is what gives syrup the best flavor. In an average year, each tap hole in a tree will proThom Bardwell, with his wife, Karla, as well as other family members operate MapleWorxz in rural Cass duce about 10 gallons of sap, City. Their maple syrup company recently earned the designation as a certified Organic Maple Syrup which will make about one producer. (Mary Drier/For the Tribune) quart of maple syrup. is no contamination by any Taps into a maple tree are Equipment is restricted Bardwell is the chair of non-organic ingredient or limited to a diameter of 16 to stainless steel and our the Tuscola County Board product,” Bardwell said. inches and above to assure maple process of Commis“Unlike conventional maple proper forest management is lead free,” sioners, and syrup, our organic syrup and no more than one tap he said, noting besides the goes through many unique per tree. those are only maple syrup processes.” Fertilizers and other a few of the business, the Some of the steps in the non-organic substances perimeters that Bardwell famiprocess include: are not allowed to enhance have to be met. ly also operates Maple woodlots are tree growth or to be on “MapleWorxz a custom frame inspected and certified. They surrounding areas such as has a licensed business at have buffer areas to assure farmland that is not organic. kitchen by their residence no non-organic contamina“Only approved cleaners the Michigan at 3540 North tion from neighboring areas are used on the equipment. Department Hurds Corner comes in. We use white vinegar. of Agriculture Road, Caro. assuring cleanFor more liness and proinformation or cess control.” to order some Thom Bardwell Organic MapleWorxz MapleWorxz owner certification syrup go to / requires rigorous record mapleworxz.com or call keeping and the tracking of 989-550-7648.
“From tree to table, our maple syrup process assures our customers the best in organic quality and packaging.”
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Thom Bardwell’s MapleWorxz maple syrup is now USAD Certified Organic, which wasn’t an easy designation to get. (Courtesy Photo)
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